Alignment tool for installing a diffuser in an air cycle machine

Abstract

A method of installing a diffuser in an air cycle machine includes placing a first housing on a shaft, placing a seal plate on the shaft, and placing a diffuser on the shaft. Next, the diffuser and the seal plate are aligned with an alignment tool. The alignment tool has a first annular surface to align with a radially outer surface of the seal plate and a second annular surface to align with an annular flange on the diffuser. Finally, the diffuser is fastened to the seal plate and the alignment tool is removed from the diffuser and the seal plate.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An alignment tool that can be used to install a diffuser in an air cycle machine, the alignment tool comprising:
 a body with a cylindrical portion and an end portion; 
 a first surface on a radially inner face of the cylindrical portion positioned axially away from the end portion; 
 a second surface on the radially inner face of the cylindrical portion positioned adjacent to the end portion, wherein the first surface has a larger diameter than the second surface; and 
 a third surface on a radially inner edge of the end portion. 
 
     
     
       2. The alignment tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first surface is configured to surround a radially outer surface of a seal plate in the air cycle machine. 
     
     
       3. The alignment tool of  claim 1 , wherein the third surface is configured to surround a radially outer surface of a flange on the diffuser in the air cycle machine. 
     
     
       4. The alignment tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first surface and the third surface are precision manufactured. 
     
     
       5. The alignment tool of  claim 1 , and further comprising:
 a plurality of openings in the cylindrical portion of the alignment tool. 
 
     
     
       6. The alignment tool of  claim 1 , and further comprising:
 an aperture in the end portion of the alignment tool that is configured to receive a timing pin. 
 
     
     
       7. An alignment tool that can be used to install a diffuser in an air cycle machine, the alignment tool comprising:
 a body with a cylindrical portion and an end portion; 
 a first surface on a radially inner face of the cylindrical portion positioned axially away from the end portion, wherein the first surface is configured to to surround a radially outer surface of a seal plate in the air cycle machine; 
 a second surface on the radially inner face of the cylindrical portion positioned adjacent to the end portion, wherein the first surface has a larger diameter than the second surface; and 
 a third surface on a radially inner edge of the end portion, wherein the third surface is configured to surround a radially outer surface of a flange on the diffuser in the air cycle machine. 
 
     
     
       8. The alignment tool of  claim 7 , wherein the second surface is configured to surround a plurality of vanes on the diffuser. 
     
     
       9. The alignment tool of  claim 7 , wherein the first surface and the third surface are precision manufactured. 
     
     
       10. The alignment tool of  claim 7 , and further comprising:
 a plurality of openings in the cylindrical portion of the alignment tool. 
 
     
     
       11. The alignment tool of  claim 7 , and further comprising:
 an aperture in the end portion of the alignment tool that is configured to receive a timing pin. 
 
     
     
       12. An alignment tool that can be used to install a diffuser in an air cycle machine, the alignment tool comprising:
 a body with a cylindrical portion and an end portion; 
 a first surface on a radially inner face of the cylindrical portion positioned axially away from the end portion; 
 a second surface on the radially inner face of the cylindrical portion positioned adjacent to the end portion, wherein the first surface has a larger diameter than the second surface; 
 a third surface on a radially inner edge of the end portion; and 
 an aperture in the end portion of the alignment tool that is configured to receive a timing pin of the diffuser. 
 
     
     
       13. The alignment tool of  claim 12 , wherein the first surface is configured to surround a radially outer surface of a seal plate in the air cycle machine. 
     
     
       14. The alignment tool of  claim 12 , wherein the third surface is configured to surround a radially outer surface of a flange on the diffuser in the air cycle machine. 
     
     
       15. The alignment tool of  claim 12 , wherein the first surface and the third surface are precision manufactured. 
     
     
       16. The alignment tool of  claim 12 , and further comprising:
 a plurality of openings in the cylindrical portion of the alignment tool.